Jeff Scruton Joins Motion Theory

Jeff Scruton, former executive producer at MJZ, has joined Motion Theory as president and
executive producer. Scruton will help ovesee the company's expansion as it moves into a new, bigger 7,000 square-foot home base in Los Angeles and as it rebrands with a newly shortened moniker, Mth.

"This is an
incredibly exciting time," said co-founder Javier Jimenez in a company release. "Jeff is an industry icon." During his two-decades plus career in the industry, Scruton has worked predominantly with live action directors, and it will be interesting to see what his experience brings to Motion Theory. The shop originally built its name in standout design and effects-driven work but is now looking to elevate its standing as a live action player, reflected in recent roster additions like Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy, Pan's Labyrinth) and Marlind & Stein (Underworld Awakening) to its roster.

"I met with a lot of companies and entertained a lot of options," says Scruton. "Many of them basically paralleled the business model of MJZ and were more traditional companies. Those would have been easy choices but I really wanted to step into a different environment. What I liked about Mth was the opportunity to come in and help them expand their brand and at the same time begin to build the company into a live action based company. "

The company is also home to founding talents like Grady Hall and Mathew Cullen, as well as contraption wizards Syyn Labs, the team behind OK Go's Rube Goldberg video and Goodby's Chevy "Let's Do This," which propelled a Sonic into a digitally-controlled real world bungee jump. Other Motion Theory projects include campaigns for Fiat and IBM.

In December 2010, company founders Cullen and Jimenez had joined forces with del Toro and cinematographer Guillermo Navarro to launch Mirada, a transmedia sister shop with which Motion Theory collaborates with on projects.

Prior to Motion Theory, Scruton had spent 17 years at MJZ, beginning at the Los Angeles production company when its roster had just four directors: Rocky & Annabel, Bob Richardson, Elma Garcia and Irv Blitz. There, he helped steer its growth into one of the most dominant players in commercial
production. MJZ earned multiple Creativity Production Company of the Year nods, including back-to-back wins in 2009 and 2010.

Scruton also previously worked as a freelance producer and first A.D. at companies like Coppos Films,
Steifel & Company and Harmony, and also produced music videos and concerts. He said that he
admires Motion Theory's multifaceted approach to supporting clients and directors. "I'm looking
forward to fostering the growth and expansion of the company and selectively building the roster
to provide even more creative diversity," he added.